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| United States Patent |
5,762,004
|
|
Vashon
, et al.
|
June 9, 1998
|
Portable, collapsible, beach and lawn recreation table
Abstract
A portable, collapsible recreation table for use on unleveled terrain or
other area surface suitable for a table to be supported by an implanted
stake. This table is comprised of a rimmed table top, three rounded legs
which fold up under the table when disassembled, or mount into a
connecting disc when assembled, a stake which is implanted into the ground
after being threaded into the threaded stake holder in the connecting
disc, and the legs are then placed in the leg connectors, also in the
connecting disc. The table also has a flexible handle which can be tucked
away under the table when the table is in the assembled position. Also
included under the table top are a threaded disc holder and stake holders
which hold the stake and connection disc when the table is in the
disassembled position.
| Inventors:
|
Vashon; Adrian R. (3168 E Danish Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84121);
Vashon; Lisa G. (3168 E Danish Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84121)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
727742 |
| Filed:
|
October 8, 1996 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
108/150; 108/128 |
| Intern'l Class: |
A47B 013/02 |
| Field of Search: |
108/150,125,128,115
248/85,87,88,434,435
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
| 523072 | Jul., 1894 | Joy | 108/128.
|
| 2137799 | Nov., 1938 | Brandenburg | 108/128.
|
| 3495554 | Feb., 1970 | Wagner | 108/128.
|
| 3960092 | Jun., 1976 | Levkovski | 248/434.
|
| 5188422 | Feb., 1993 | Montgomery | 108/150.
|
| Foreign Patent Documents |
| 648090 | Dec., 1928 | FR | 108/150.
|
| 850535 | Dec., 1939 | FR | 108/150.
|
| 266852 | Jun., 1925 | DE | 108/150.
|
| 439313 | Nov., 1925 | DE | 248/435.
|
Primary Examiner: Chen; Jose V.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Hinkle & Associates, P.C.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A portable recreational table for use on a ground surface, comprising:
a platform having an outer edge and a rim extending from the outer edge;
a plurality of elongated legs being mounted to the platform, each leg
having a first end and a second end and being mounted to the rim at the
first end;
a connecting disc being removably mounted to the plurality of legs, the
connecting disc having a circumferential edge, a mounting wall extending
from the circumferential edge, a threaded bore and a plurality of leg
connectors disposed on the mounting wall for removably receiving the legs,
the leg connectors respectively removably engaging the second ends of the
legs; and
a stake removably mounted to the connecting disc for engaging the ground
surface, the stake having a threaded end and a pointed end, threaded end
matingly and removably engaging the threaded bore and the pointed end
removably inserted into the ground surface.
2. A portable recreational table as claimed in claim 1, wherein the leg
connector is a T-shaped slot having a narrow vertically extending lower
portion and a transverse upper portion.
3. A portable recreational table as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second
end of the leg is notched to form a head and a neck, the neck removably
engaging the lower portion of the slot.
4. A portable recreational table as claimed in claim 1, wherein each leg is
pivotally mounted to the rim at the first end.
5. A portable recreational table as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
platform has an upper surface and the upper surface is substantially
planar.
6. A portable recreational table as claimed in claim 5, wherein the upper
surface of the platform has at least one groove.
7. A portable recreational table as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
platform has a lower surface and the lower surface has means for receiving
and storing the connecting disc and the stake.
8. A portable recreational table as claimed in claim 7, wherein the means
for receiving and storing the connecting disc and the stake comprises:
a threaded disc holder for removably and matingly engaging the threaded
bore of the connecting disc, and
a stake holder for removably engaging the stake, the stake holder having a
receiver for removably receiving the stake proximate the pointed end and a
pair of posts to removably engage the stake proximate the threaded end.
9. A portable recreational table as claimed in claim 8, wherein the stake
holder further comprises a stop to engage the threaded end of the stake.
10. A portable recreational table as claimed in claim 1, further comprising
a handle mounted to the rim of the platform.
11. A portable recreational table as claimed in claim 1, wherein each leg
at the first end is pivotally mounted to the rim and is pivotally movable
to a closed position.
12. A portable recreational table as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
platform has a lower surface and the closed position is defined as the
position where the second end of the leg contacts the rim proximate the
lower surface.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
I. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of portable tables.
More particularly, the present invention relates to a portable recreation
table supported by a ground engaging stake that is well suited for use on
beaches, camp grounds, lawns and the like having uneven terrain.
II. Description of the Related Art
Standard tables are not suitable for use on unlevel surfaces, and are not
typically portable for recreational purposes. Therefore, inventors created
several types of portable recreation tables. U.S. Pat. No. 4,407,475
issued to Gossage illustrates an earlier attempt at a collapsible,
portable recreation table, which is not adjustable for height, does not
have a leveling disc, but does have a retractable leg which is complex and
a biased latch which after beach or environmental exposure is susceptible
to jams and other mechanical problems. Ciulli describes a portable table
which anchors into the ground in U.S. Pat. No. 4,852,835. The pointed
rigid rod is not collapsible and therefore the disassembled table is not
as compact, as well as the protruding rod may be dangerous while
transporting. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,417,166 Credle describes a portable
umbrella table having many removable pieces which could become lost and
are awkward for disassembly, and the umbrella, if kept small enough to
keep the table compact, collapsible, and portable could not provide a
large amount of value. U.S. Pat. No. 4,920,897 issued to Reed et al. is
neither collapsible, height adjustable, portable, nor easily assembled and
disassembled. In addition, the parts are not contained within the table,
and since the auger is attached to the table, the auger could be dangerous
when not engaging the ground. Because there is a hole in the center of the
table top to receive the umbrella, the amount of useable table surface is
reduced.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention and the contemplated problems
which have and continue to exist in this field, one of the objectives of
this invention is to provide a portable, collapsible, beach and lawn
recreation table that is improved over the prior art.
It is also an object of this invention to provide a level and sturdy table
while in unleveled terrain which is accomplished through a spike which is
implanted into the ground and is connected to a supporting ring which when
placed firmly against the ground minimizes tilting and slanting from wind,
heavy objects and the like.
It is another object of this invention to provide a table with non-complex
foldable leg mechanisms which allows the table to be easily collapsible
and portable.
Still, another object of this invention is to provide a table in a manner
in which all parts are contained within the individual unit, whether in
the assembled or disassembled mode, and when portable all pieced are
contained in a manner which is consistent with safety factors.
Yet, another object of this invention is to provide a table that has an
adjustable height.
Still yet, it is another object of this invention to provide a portable
table that has increased stability by using three legs.
This invention accomplishes the above and other objectives and overcomes
the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a portable, collapsible,
beach and lawn recreation table that is simple in design and construction,
inexpensive to fabricate, and easy to use. The table has a platform with a
rim extending therefrom. Pivotally mounted to the rim are legs which can
nest within the rim when the legs are in a closed position. To secure the
legs, a connecting disc has slots to receive a second end of the legs. The
connecting disc has a threaded bore to receive the threaded end of a
ground engaging stake, which allows the table to be used in non-even
terrain. Because the table can be easily disassembled, it is well adapted
for transport and storage.
It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein
are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception,
upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis
for the designing of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying
out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important,
therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent
constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of
the present invention.
Other objects, advantages and capabilities of the invention will become
apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings showing preferred embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be better understood and the above objects as well as
objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when
consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such
description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable, collapsible, beach and lawn
recreation table made in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an exploded, perspective view of the table of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the table having various parts thereof shown
removably mounted thereto;
FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the table;
FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the table showing a handle in a closed
position;
FIG. 6 is a partial bottom view of the table with a leg in a collapsed
position; and
FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the table and the pivotally mounted leg.
The reference numbers in the drawings relate to the following:
1=portable, collapsible, beach and lawn recreation table
10=platform
12=upper surface of platform
14=lower surface of platform
16=outer edge of platform
18=rim of platform
20=inner surface of rim
22=rim edge
24=groove
26=leg
28=first end of leg
30=second end of leg
32=head of leg
34=neck of leg
36=connecting disc
38=circumferential edge of connecting disc
40=mounting wall of connecting disc
44=threaded bore of connecting disc
46=leg connector
48=lower portion of leg connector
50=transverse upper portion
52=stake
54=threaded end of stake
56=pointed end of stake
58=handle
60=threaded disc holder
62=stake holder
64=receiver
66=post
68=stop
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
For a fuller understanding of the nature and desired objects of this
invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description
taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. Referring to the
drawings wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts
throughout the several figures, reference is made first to FIG. 1. FIG. 1
of the drawings illustrates a portable, collapsible, beach and lawn
recreation table 1.
Referring to FIGS. 1 through 7, the table 1 has a platform 10 having an
upper surface 12, a lower surface 14, an outer edge 16 and a rim 18
extending from the outer edge 16. The rim 18 has an inner surface 20 and a
rim edge 22. As shown in FIG. 5, the upper surface 12 is substantially
planar. On the upper surface 12 are grooves 24 which form a predetermined
pattern.
Pivotally mounted to the rim 18 of the platform 10 on the inner surface 20
are a plurality of elongated legs 26. Each leg 26 has a first end 28 and a
second end 30. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7, the legs 26 are pivotally
mounted to the rim 18 at the first end 28 are movable to a closed
position. A closed position, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, is defined as the
position of the leg 26 where the second end 30 is placed into contact with
the inner surface 20 of the rim 18 between the lower surface 14 of the
platform 10 and the rim edge 22. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 7, the second
end 30 of the leg 26 is notched to form a head 32 and a neck 34. The neck
34 is discussed further below.
With continuing reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a connecting disc 36 is
removably mounted to the legs 26. The connecting disc 36 has a
circumferential edge 38, a mounting wall 40 extending from the
circumferential edge 38, a threaded bore 44 and a plurality of leg
connectors 46 disposed on the mounting wall 40. Each leg connector is a
T-shaped slot having a narrow vertically extending lower portion 48 and a
transverse upper portion 50. In operation, the head 32 of the leg 26
extends through the transverse upper portion 50, and the neck 34 removably
inserts into and engages the lower portion 48, removably mounting the
second end 30 of the leg 26 to the connecting disc 36.
To support the table 1 on a ground surface (not shown), a stake 52 is
removably mounted to the connecting disc 36 for removable insertion into
the ground surface. The stake 52 has a threaded end 54 and a pointed end
56. The threaded end 54 matingly and removably engages the threaded bore
44 of the connecting disc 36, and the pointed end 56 removably inserts
into the ground surface. The height of the platform 10 above the ground
surface is adjustable by rotating the connecting disc 36 about the
threaded end 54 to adjust the depth of threaded end 54 within the threaded
bore 44. The table 1 is removed from the ground by rotating and lifting
the table until the stake 52 disengages the ground surface.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, a handle 58 is mounted to the rim 18 of the
platform 10. In the preferred embodiment, the handle 58 is capable of
being pushed flat against the rim 18 and being extended outwardly from the
rim 18 for transport by an operator.
Now referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the connecting disc 36 and the stake 52 are
removably securable to the lower surface 14 of the platform 10 for ease of
transport and storage. A threaded disc holder 60 is positioned on the
lower surface 14 for removably and matingly engaging the threaded bore 44
of the connecting disc 36. To removably engage and secure the stake 52 to
the lower surface 14, a stake holder 62 is provided on the lower surface
14. The stake holder 62 has a receiver 64 with an opening (not shown) for
removably receiving the stake 52 proximate the pointed end 56 and a pair
of posts 66 to removably engage the stake 52 proximate the threaded end
54. A stop 68 is provided to removably engage the threaded end 54 of the
stake 52. FIG. 4 depicts the lower surface 14 of the platform 10 with all
legs 26 in the closed position, and also shows the connecting disc 36 and
the stake 52 engaging the disc holder 60 and the stake holder 62.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the
optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to
include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of
operation, assembly, disassembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and
obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to
those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are
intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the
principles of the invention. Further, various modifications may be made of
the invention without departing from the scope thereof and it is desired,
therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereon as are
imposed by the prior art and which are set forth in the appended claims.
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